Zong is from a Kayan village near Mae Hong Son on the North Thailand/Myanmar border. Women in Kayan culture are known for wearing brass “longneck” rings as a symbol of beauty. Zong wore the rings for many years. Zong’s parents are refugees in Thailand from Burma. In the late 1980s, due to conflict with the military regime in Myanmar, they fled to Thailand, but were unable to receive citizenship due to the law. Zong has fought for the last 7 years to gain an identification card that will allow her to travel, access healthcare and education; and to have the right to legally marry and own property. Without this she is “Stateless”.

Zong's description of this image:
"I want to capture the hard work of this young boy in the photograph. He has to struggle for his life by selling snacks in the river to Thai and foreign visitors. He works very hard."